Special Presentation offered as part of this month's Bhakti Yoga weekend workshop...

How can we lovingly and respectfully learn about and engage in the traditions and practices of other cultures without causing harm or offense?

Many of us who practice Hatha and/or Bhakti Yoga are contemplating this lately. On Sunday 28th October, guest teacher Prajna Vieira will lead a Sunday Yoga Teachers Special called "Cultural Appreciation Vs Cultural Appropriation”. This afternoon workshop will look at the often subtle lines between cultural appropriation, appreciation and exchange, with lots of opportunity for discussion, Q&A, and inquiry into this timely subject.

This will be Prajna’s first visit to Bermuda as part of the Bhakti Yoga Weekend being held at Spirit House from 26th - 28th October. Michelle Rafferty, one of the event organizers, commented: “I have been closely following Prajna’s work for many years and had the great honor of hearing her exquisite voice at Bhakti Fest, as well as attended her informative workshops. Prajna has been commended by many in the bhakti community for her skillful exploration of the important, controversial and extremely timely subject of cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. I am deeply grateful that she will be with us in Bermuda to facilitate this discussion."

Prajna Vieira is the lead singer of the Mukti Kirtan Ensemble, and is also known for her work with world music pioneer Jai Uttal and other artists. She was introduced to kirtan and bhakti yoga as a child when her father returned from a spiritual journey to India and began taking her to a local satsang where the melodies and rhythms of kirtan and bhajan, and the timeless wisdom of Sanatana Dharma, stole her heart and set her on the spiritual path. She met her Sadguru Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi) in 1998, began teaching yoga in 2000, and began singing kirtan publicly (outside of the temple) in 2008 when Mukti first came together. She has dedicated her life to studying, practicing and sharing traditional yoga practices and bhakti arts. Prajna lives in the San Fransisco Bay Area, where she teaches yoga asana, yogic philosophy, and kirtan vocal and harmonium. She also studies and performs Odissi Classical Indian Dance, and Harikatha (a traditional, devotional art of storytelling). She is committed to compassionate activism and social justice, and is accountable to the source traditions of yoga through the ongoing work of decolonizing her own practices and presentations.

This is a wonderful topic for yoga teachers to explore but the workshop is OPEN TO EVERYONE who is interested in learning more and participating in the discussion.

Date: Sunday 28th October Time: 1.30 p.m. - 3 p.m. Held at: Spirit House, 65 Middle Road, Devonshire.Price: $25 per person.Tickets are now LIVE on www.bdatix.bm for this workshop. We expect tickets to go fast so we strongly suggest booking in advance.

The Sunday afternoon workshop is included for those who are attending the full weekend and have a Full Bhakti Weekend Pass. The full weekend is now SOLD OUT.

However, tickets are still available for kirtan with Prajna Vieira and David Estes on Saturday 27th October starting at 7.30 p.m., as well as the Sunday afternoon workshop as detailed above.